From Mike Monroe's column regarding Hakeem and Cleveland...makes him out to be a PF and says he won't get much playing time behind Taylor. Wah? Monroe is sometimes off his rocker. http://www.foxsports.com/nba/home/nba_news.cfm?source=st&cont_id=67760 Griffin impresses Rudy T. Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich wants Olajuwon to remain part of the Rockets' immediate future front court, but he was at the Rocky Mountain Revue getting a long look at the club's long-term future front court. Tomjanovich's early impressions of rookie power forward/center Eddie Griffin: "Just a multi-talented player who can do a lot of things," Tomjanovich said. "He can get on the floor, as a 19-year-old, because he can rebound and block shots now." "His offense has been in and out, but it's just a matter of getting his nervous system calmed down. He can pass the ball and he feels comfortable in a lot of situations on the floor. We saw him make some 3-point shots, make some post-up plays and some mid-post-up plays." "Even though he isn't an outwardly emotional type of player -- you get that calmness from him -- he is a very competitive player." Some scouts at the Rocky Mountain Revue were critical of Griffin's casual demeanor, and found even more fault in his tendency to lope from end to end, rather than sprint. Tomjanovich said looks are deceiving. The game almost comes too easily to the former Seton Hall star, he said. "We'll hear that about him," Tomjanovich said, "and he's already addressed it. There are certain guys in this league that are just like that. But he wants to win and he wants to improve and there is a lot there. A lot there." Griffin said he has had a hard time adapting to the NBA's new defensive three-second rule -- he was called for the violation three times in Houston's Saturday Rocky Mountain Revue game -- and knows he needs to improve his ball handling and perimeter defense. Going to a Rockets team that is certain to re-sign power forward Maurice Taylor, Griffin said he is ready to accept limited playing time. "If I don't play a lot I'm OK with that," he said. "I hope I play a lot, but I won't be disappointed if I don't. I've got a lot of developing to do. I'm still not fully developed physically, for one thing." Indeed, Griffin needs to add considerable bulk to his frame to be ready for the rigors of the NBA inside game. ------------------ Who's your buddy? Who's your pal? I am, aren't I?
music to my ears. this is EXACTLY the attitude players gotta have. motaylor waitin out on the rockets, same with mooch, etc. is it just me, or with the exception of cato (and more recently dream) our team has a damn good attitude. this really looks like a good group that will gel and develop some excellent chemistry. ------------------ president of the sleepy floyd to hall of fame club. http://www.it-is-truth.org http://members.fortunecity.com/omar369 [This message has been edited by jamma34 (edited July 23, 2001).]
Last year, I spoke to several people with the Rockets who said that it is the best team chemistry they have EVER seen with the Rockets. That includes the championship years, etc. They said these guys just love each other. One of the reasons we may not have heard Williams trade rumors is because the team ABSOLUTELY loves him. The same goes for Bullard. ------------------ Who's your buddy? Who's your pal? I am, aren't I?
Well I definitely agree he is more of a PF than a SF. He still young and since the last game in the LA SL when I saw EG stand straight next to TRock standing straight EG had an inch or inch and a 1/2 at maybe 6-10 or 6-10 1/2 and might be still growing. He's got a good frame, not thin. And he's only just turned 19, heck he might turn in to our center of the future. That's just my opinion, but right now his size best fits SF. ------------------
I suspected as such. I think Walt may remain here for another year - might even start for a while. That might be a part of the impasse (you know which one I'm referring to)... ------------------
That was a great article. Griffin has the attitude that he wants to learn and will take time to do it. I agree with you Jeff on the Williams deal. Walt Williams is one of the most loved guys on the team. Cat and Francis love having him around. Thats the reason I think Houston wont give him up. ------------------ "Break off the block like Maurice Green" --- Steve Francis President of the Moochie Norris fan club.
Maybe there's too much love on this team, too much comfort. Where's the fear? The desire to get better? Motay, Shan and Walt are loved but why aren't they willing to do the little things to improve their game? If the Rockets don't have more wins this year, then what good is this so called best ever team chemistry? Maybe a little friction and a lot more "focass" is needed. ------------------ "Power is not revealed by striking hard or often, but by striking true." - Honore de Balzag
Didn't Julius Erving used to lope up and down the court with an expressionless face while exacting great damages on the other team?! ------------------ "How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak. Because someday you will have been all of these."
Definitely possible this guy could add another inch or two. I remember DRobb started his freshman year at the Naval Academy 6'7". This is the first article I've seen that projects him as a PF, though. I'd rather see EG fight for minutes with our other SF's than with MoTay and KT. I'd love to see him turn into a KG-type of forward. ------------------
I Think Griffin will ultimately be the SF by the beginning of next season. If you ask me this is just a smokescreen for the verterans. Griffin won't be wasted at PF and won't be forced to sit behind Mo for the rest of his career. I don't see how Griff could be used at Center, but he's not much shorter than Dream, so we should keep that in mind. I suppose it's possible, but I still see that as a smokescreen for his role as SF. I agree on Walt. He's not likely going anywhere anytime soon. He is loved, but will slowly be moved to backup SF behind griffin. I suspect the minutes will reverse at the end of the season. ------------------ humble, but hungry.
So far, in the RMR, Eddie has played power forward. He is an inside presence, although he has put up a few shots from the perimeter. His strengths are inside. He is skinny right now, but he is only 19 years old. According to his cousin, Eddie himself feels he will eventually play power forward. I aksed Coach Boylen if he felt Eddie would eventually play power forward and his answer was "he's still growing". The way he rebounds and blocks shots, I think he would be wasting some of his strengths to spend to much time on the perimeter. ------------------
So Moe, what else did Boylen say about what position(s) they'd play Griffin. The "he's still growing" was all he said??? What context was the question posed? Like did he imply that he needs to grow before they play him at PF???
How do you know they're not doing the little things to improve their game? The Rockets have shown they have the desire to get better, the jump in wins last year showed that. Friction doesn't = getting better, a lot of times it could hurt. The better the chemistry gets, the easier it is to involve everybody in the offense. ------------------ "Instruments are like women: After a while, you want to make love to another." - Nicolas Godin of the musical duo Air
